The Ollantaytambo Ruins (Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site) in Peru’s Sacred Valley is second in importance only to Machu Picchu itself. These prominent ruins overlooking Ollantaytambo townsite were the site of the only major Inca defeat of Spanish forces. Today, they are also one of the most accessible ruins around Cusco because you can walk to them …
Ollantaytambo is my favorite town in the Sacred Valley of Peru, and I’m not alone. So many visitors rush through Ollantaytambo on their way to Machu Picchu, or as a part of a Sacred Valley day tour like this one, and wish they had budgeted more time for it. Personally, I fell in love with …
The Pisac ruins are some of the most important Incan ruins in Peru’s Cusco region and the Sacred Valley, along with the ruins at Ollantaytambo and more remote Huchuy Qosqo. They are a great addition to any Machu Picchu visit. I especially recommend visiting these and other Sacred Valley attractions BEFORE Machu Picchu so you …
Pisac (also spelled Písac or Písaq) is one of the largest towns in the Sacred Valley of Peru. The Urubamba River flows through this valley towards the famed Machu Picchu. As the furthest east town in the valley (or furthest away from Machu Picchu), most visitors bypass Pisac altogether in their rush to get from …
In the past, visitors to Machu Picchu were allowed to freely explore the site. However, if you visit Machu Picchu today, whether visiting on your own (yes, it’s allowed!), on a tour like this one, or as part of the Inca Trail hike, you’ll have to walk along one of its circuits, or set routes. …
The Sacred Valley (el Valle Sagrada) is my favorite place in Peru. It is home to fantastic ruins, the starting point of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, traditional Quechua villages and markets, incredible restaurants, and adventure activities galore. The Sacred Valley is formed by the Urubamba River north of Cusco, which wraps around Machu …
Lima is often an afterthought on visitors’ Peru itinerary. Most pass through the Peruvian capital’s airport en route to Cusco, or spend a night in a hotel near the airport if they have to. I’m here to tell you that you absolutely should spend two days in Lima! This sprawling city was once Pizarro’s capital …
Cusco is the ancient capital of the Inca empire and modern gateway to Machu Picchu. It’s no big surprise, then, that the city boasts many museums. However, the quality of these museums varies from decent to mediocre to outright bad. To make things more confusing, only some museums are included on the Cusco Tourist Pass …
When visiting Cusco and the Sacred Valley, you will most likely need to purchase the Cusco Tourist Pass, or “Boleto Turistico”. This pass is not just recommended for saving money but it’s actually the only way that you can enter some of the top things to do and ruins in the Cusco region. In total …
The Cusco Religious Circuit Ticket is a tourist pass that gives you access to three religious sights in Cusco. It used to be four sights, but one of them is currently under major renovations and is closed. These are some of the top things to do in Cusco, but there are so many more not …
